Five Stans Tour 2026-2027: 14-Day Central Asia Journey from Almaty to Tashkent
Updated: · Verified against CAJ.UZ booking, border and refund pages: 25 April 2026
Local Central Asia operator since 1996 · License T-0292-14 · 5 countries · 14 days / 13 nights · Scheduled small-group departures · Written confirmation after services are secured · Visa support if required
Cross all five Central Asian Stans in 14 days on a coordinated route from Almaty to Tashkent. This Five Stans Tour 2026-2027 combines Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan with regional flights, Uzbek trains, local guides, border handovers, city hotels, one Tajik mountain guesthouse night and one Darvaza desert-camp night arranged as one guided journey.
Exact tour facts
- Tour name
- Five Stans Tour 2026-2027: 14-Day Central Asia Journey from Almaty to Tashkent
- Booking page label
- The booking page currently labels this product as "Five Stans tour: Iconic 5 Stans Adventure."
- Also known as
- 5 Stans Tour, 14-day Five Stans Tour, Five Countries Central Asia Tour and Almaty to Tashkent Five Stans Tour. This page is the compact 14-day five-country route; the longer 23-day regional itinerary is linked below for comparison.
- Duration
- 14 days / 13 nights
- Countries
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
- Start / finish
- Start in Almaty, Kazakhstan · Finish in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Departure window shown
- The booking page currently shows scheduled departures from 19 May 2026 to 12 April 2027.
- Full route
- Almaty -> Bishkek -> Tashkent -> Samarkand -> Jartepa / Sarazm -> Seven Lakes (Fann Mountains) -> Penjikent -> Samarkand -> Bukhara -> Alat / Farap -> Merv -> Mary -> Ashgabat -> Darvaza -> Kunya-Urgench -> Dashoguz / Shavat -> Khiva -> Urgench -> Tashkent
- Format
- Scheduled small-group departures with private customization available on request.
- Hotels
- 3-star and 4-star city-hotel categories. Remote sections use guesthouse, desert camp or similar traditional accommodation.
- Program style
- Fast-moving guided cultural circuit: most nights are in city hotels, but the route also includes one Tajik mountain guesthouse section, one Darvaza desert or yurt-camp night, regional flights, Uzbek trains and three overland border systems.
- Meals
- Meal inclusions vary by day and are confirmed with your departure. Any meal not listed in the final confirmation is paid separately.
- Price basis
- From $3,200 per person in a 3-star double or twin room, based on 2 travelers sharing.
- Single room / solo
- Single-room rates are available in both hotel categories, but they are not solo-traveler prices. A true solo quote is available on request.
- Transport
- Private vehicles, regional flights and train segments as listed on this page and on the booking page.
- Guide language
- English is the standard included language. Russian, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Turkish can be requested and must be confirmed in writing.
- Booking and confirmation
- Payment or request submission can create the order first, but the booking is confirmed only when CAJ.UZ sends written confirmation after traveler details are checked and the required services are secured.
- Visa support
- Visa support is included if required. Visa costs, border fees and other official charges are not included unless written confirmation says otherwise.
- Border crossings
- Main checkpoints used on this route are Jartepa / Sarazm (about 350 m on foot), Alat / Farap (about 2.5 km by shuttle and border transport) and Dashoguz / Shavat (about 500 m by shuttle). Travelers complete border formalities personally and stay with their own luggage throughout the crossing.
- Border support format
- On border days, one local team brings you to the checkpoint and the next local team meets you after formalities. This is normal for this route and reflects cross-border guide and driver rules.
- Physical level
- Active route with early starts, long road sections and independent border procedures. It is less suitable for travelers who need a slow pace or porter-style handling at borders.
- Cancellation
- If you cancel 24 hours or more before the start time, CAJ.UZ does not charge its own cancellation fee. Tickets and supplier rules can still affect the refundable amount.
Best for active travelers comfortable with early starts, long road sections and self-handled border procedures · Not recommended for travelers who need a slow pace, porter-style border assistance or low-movement travel · Booking is confirmed only in writing after traveler details and services are checked
Important physical note: this is an active route with long drives, early starts, independent border formalities and carrying your own luggage through border-transfer sections.
It is not the best fit for travelers who want a slow pace, minimal movement, or porter-style help at checkpoints.
Operator: Central Asia Journeys (CAJ.UZ) — local tour operator for Uzbekistan and Central Asia
Since: 1996 · License: T-0292-14 · about us · booking terms · refund policy
Phone: +998 71 236 39 45 · Email: cajourneys@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +998 90 922 30 73 · Start: Almaty International Airport · Finish: Tashkent International Airport
Book direct with a local Five Stans operator
- One local Central Asia team: CAJ.UZ coordinates the route, border handovers, guides, transport, train tickets, regional flights and remote overnights as one product.
- Direct service confirmation: after the order or request is created, CAJ.UZ checks traveler details, flight and train segments, hotel category and local services before issuing written confirmation.
- Practical border knowledge: the page explains where travelers walk, where shuttles are used, who meets after each border and why luggage remains with the traveler.
- No vague "five countries" promise: the program shows the real sequence, hard days, remote accommodation limits and cancellation rules before the client books.
- Fast human support: travelers can use WhatsApp or email for visa-support questions, room type, solo quote, private customization and date-change requests.
Why choose this Five Stans Tour?
- All five countries in one route: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in a single guided itinerary.
- Strong Silk Road core: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Merv, Kunya-Urgench and Penjikent are all part of the journey.
- Landscape range in one trip: Almaty mountains, the Seven Lakes, the Karakum Desert and Darvaza are combined with the classic historic cities.
- Real logistics already layered in: regional flights, trains, hotel nights and country-by-country guide handoffs are built into the route.
- Transparent commercial basis: clear room-category pricing, honest border notes and booking language aligned with CAJ.UZ's current terms.
Who this tour suits best
- A good fit if you want to cover all five Central Asian "Stans" on one organized trip.
- A good fit if you prefer pre-arranged transport, flights, trains and border logistics rather than planning each country separately.
- A good fit if you are comfortable with a busy pace and country changes inside two weeks.
- Less suitable if you want a slow single-country holiday, a low-movement itinerary or a route with no border handling.
Which CAJ Central Asia route should you choose?
Choose this page if you want the compact 14-day Five Stans Tour: all five countries in two weeks, starting in Almaty and finishing in Tashkent. If you want a slower regional journey with more time, compare the longer 23-day Central Asia route instead.
| Route option | Best for | Route logic | Choose / compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Stans Tour · 14 days | Travelers who want Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in one compact guided route. | Faster pace, more country changes, more border logistics, one Tajik guesthouse night and one Darvaza desert-camp night. | This page |
| Central Asia Tour · 23 days | Travelers who want a broader regional journey with more time across Central Asia. | Longer pace, more space between major transfers and a wider cultural itinerary. | Compare 23-day tour |
| Uzbekistan + Kyrgyzstan Tour | Travelers who want Silk Road cities plus Kyrgyz landscapes without Turkmenistan and Tajikistan border complexity. | Two-country route with a softer operational profile than the full Five Stans circuit. | Compare Uzbekistan + Kyrgyzstan |
| Pamir Highway Tour · 14 days | Travelers whose main priority is Tajikistan, the Wakhan Valley and rugged high-altitude road travel. | Adventure-style Tajikistan focus rather than a five-country Silk Road circuit. | Compare Pamir Highway |
Route clarity: this page is the main CAJ.UZ page for the 14-day Five Stans Tour / 5 Stans Tour. Broader or longer Central Asia routes are linked as alternatives, not mixed into this compact route.
Five Stans Tour 2026-2027 scheduled departure dates
The table below reflects the departure dates currently shown on the booking page. Availability can change during checkout, so final seats and services are confirmed in writing by CAJ.UZ.
| Tour code | Start date | End date | Row price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1905 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA0206 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA1606 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA3006 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA1407 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA2807 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA1108 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA2508 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA0809 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA2209 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA0610 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA2010 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA0311 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA1627 | $3,200 | Book | ||
| CA3027 | $3,200 | Book |
Current booking note: the booking engine currently shows departures from 19 May 2026 to 12 April 2027.
For readability, this page lists CA2807 once even if the booking engine temporarily repeats that row. Final availability, room category, ticketing and service status are confirmed at checkout and in written confirmation.
Five Stans Tour price and hotel options
Prices are shown per person. The standard rate basis is 2 travelers sharing. The departure rows currently show $3,200 as the row price, while room-category pricing remains as follows:
| Option | Price | Rule | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-star hotels · Double / twin room | $3,200 / person | Rate based on 2 travelers sharing | Book |
| 3-star hotels · Single room | $3,669 / person | Private room within a booking based on 2+ travelers | Book |
| 4-star hotels · Double / twin room | $3,641 / person | Rate based on 2 travelers sharing | Book |
| 4-star hotels · Single room | $3,966 / person | Private room within a booking based on 2+ travelers | Book |
| Solo traveler | On request | Quoted separately | Request |
Important: on fixed-date departures, the booking page controls the price shown during checkout. Final room type, ticketing and service availability are reconfirmed in writing.
Accommodation level on this route
- The normal overnight mix is 11 city-hotel nights + 1 Tajik guesthouse night + 1 desert or yurt-camp night.
- 3-star and 4-star categories apply mainly to the city nights where those standards are available.
- Remote sections such as the Seven Lakes / Padrud stay and the Darvaza desert night use guesthouse, desert-camp or similar traditional accommodation.
- The 4-star option improves the city stays, but it does not turn remote sections into city-style 4-star experiences.
- The exact hotel list is confirmed in writing for the selected departure.
How to read the hotel categories
| Accommodation type | Where it applies | What to expect | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-star city hotels | City nights in Almaty, Bishkek, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Ashgabat and Khiva where available. | Clean standard rooms, private bathroom, practical location and normal city-hotel services. | Exact hotels are confirmed for the selected departure, not promised before written confirmation. |
| 4-star city hotels | City nights where the 4-star category is offered and confirmed. | Higher city-hotel comfort than the 3-star option on applicable nights. | This upgrade does not change the Tajik guesthouse or Darvaza camp into 4-star accommodation. |
| Tajik guesthouse | Seven Lakes / Padrud area. | Simple local mountain accommodation with a practical, cultural value rather than hotel-style comfort. | Facilities are more basic than city hotels and should be expected as part of the mountain experience. |
| Darvaza desert or yurt camp | Karakum Desert / Darvaza Gas Crater night. | Remote desert stay close to the crater experience. | Comfort is limited by desert-camp conditions and final camp setup for the departure. |
Meals on the tour
Meal inclusions vary by day because this is a five-country route with city hotels, remote guesthouse nights, desert accommodation, train days and border days. The final meal plan is confirmed with your departure.
- Meals listed in the final confirmation are included in the tour price.
- Any meal not listed in the final confirmation is paid separately.
- Border and transport days may have a different meal pattern from regular city-sightseeing days.
- Dietary requests should be agreed in advance and confirmed in writing.
What is included and what is not
Included
- Accommodation: the selected 3-star or 4-star category for city stays, with guesthouse or desert-camp accommodation on remote nights
- Regional economy flights: Almaty to Bishkek, Bishkek to Tashkent, Mary to Ashgabat, and Urgench to Tashkent
- Train tickets in economy class: Tashkent to Samarkand and Samarkand to Bukhara (see Uzbekistan train tickets)
- Meals: meal inclusions confirmed with your departure
- Excursions and entrance tickets: as listed in the final confirmed program
- Guiding: English-speaking local guides by segment; other languages on request and on written confirmation
- Transport: air-conditioned vehicles for the overland parts of the route
- Water: 1.5 litres per person per day
- Photo/video fees: during city tours where required by the program
- Visa support: for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan if required
Not included
- International flight to Almaty and from Tashkent
- Visa costs, border fees, migration fees, health fees or other official charges
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Personal expenses and tips
- Excess baggage over 20 kg
- Travel insurance
- Any service not listed in the final written confirmation
The written confirmation is the final service list for the selected departure. Official border and visa charges can change and should be reconfirmed before travel.
Five Stans Tour route: how the journey flows
Full route: Almaty -> Bishkek -> Tashkent -> Samarkand -> Jartepa / Sarazm -> Seven Lakes (Fann Mountains) -> Penjikent -> Samarkand -> Bukhara -> Alat / Farap -> Merv -> Mary -> Ashgabat -> Darvaza -> Kunya-Urgench -> Dashoguz / Shavat -> Khiva -> Urgench -> Tashkent. The trip moves east to west through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, enters Uzbekistan, crosses into Tajikistan for the mountain section, returns to Uzbekistan, continues into Turkmenistan for Merv, Ashgabat and Darvaza, then finishes back in Uzbekistan. If you want a shorter alternative, compare other Central Asia tours.
Core highlights: Almaty · Medeu / Shymbulak · Bishkek · Burana Tower · Tashkent · Samarkand · Seven Lakes · Penjikent · Bukhara · Merv · Ashgabat · Darvaza Gas Crater · Kunya-Urgench · Khiva
The route is designed around country-by-country operations, so local drivers and guides hand over at the border checkpoints where needed.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary with distances
Below is the actual structure of the 14-day program: where you travel, what you see, how you move, where you sleep and what kind of pace each day has. This is a guided multi-country route with real logistics, not a slow single-hotel holiday.
Program at a glance: what you are buying
| Day | Sleep | Main focus | Main transport | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Almaty city hotel | Arrival, transfer and recovery after the international flight | Private airport transfer | Easy |
| Day 2 | Almaty city hotel | Almaty landmarks plus Medeu / Shymbulak mountain area | Private vehicle + walking | Moderate |
| Day 3 | Bishkek city hotel | First regional flight and Bishkek city tour | Flight + private transfers | Moderate |
| Day 4 | Tashkent city hotel | Burana Tower and Kyrgyz rural culture before the flight to Uzbekistan | Private vehicle + flight | Full day |
| Day 5 | Samarkand city hotel | Tashkent sightseeing and Afrosiyob train to Samarkand | Private vehicle + train | Moderate |
| Day 6 | Seven Lakes / Padrud guesthouse | First overland border and the Fann Mountains / Seven Lakes | Private vehicles + short border walk | Active |
| Day 7 | Samarkand city hotel | Penjikent history and return from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan | Private vehicles + short border walk | Active |
| Day 8 | Bukhara city hotel | Samarkand monuments and train to Bukhara | Private vehicle + train | Moderate |
| Day 9 | Bukhara city hotel | Full day in old Bukhara | Walking + short transfers | Moderate |
| Day 10 | Ashgabat city hotel | Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border, Merv and domestic flight | Private vehicle + border transport + flight | Long |
| Day 11 | Darvaza camp | Ashgabat city tour and Karakum Desert / Darvaza | Private vehicle | Long |
| Day 12 | Khiva city hotel | Kunya-Urgench, Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border and Khiva | Private vehicle + border shuttle | Long |
| Day 13 | Tashkent city hotel | Khiva walking tour, farewell food experience and flight to Tashkent | Walking + private transfer + flight | Full day |
| Day 14 | Tour ends | Departure from Tashkent | Private airport transfer | Easy |
How the rhythm changes across the 14 days
- Days 1-5 are the softest part of the route: city hotels, one regional flight, one Uzbek train and classic sightseeing in Almaty, Bishkek and Tashkent.
- Days 6-7 are the first real logistics block: the program enters Tajikistan, uses a mountain guesthouse and includes the first self-handled overland border.
- Days 8-9 return to classic Silk Road city travel: Samarkand and Bukhara are the most architecture-heavy and least physically demanding days.
- Days 10-12 are the hardest block of the tour: long border procedures, long desert roads, a domestic flight inside Turkmenistan and one desert or yurt-camp night.
- Days 13-14 soften again: Khiva sightseeing, a domestic flight back to Tashkent and a simple departure transfer.
Route distance summary
| Route type | Approx. distance | What it includes | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight segments | approx. 1,700-1,900 km | Almaty -> Bishkek, Bishkek -> Tashkent, Mary -> Ashgabat, Urgench -> Tashkent | Exact timings depend on airline schedules for the selected departure |
| Train segments | approx. 570 km | Tashkent -> Samarkand and Samarkand -> Bukhara | Train class and departure times are confirmed for the selected date |
| Road sections | approx. 2,500-3,000 km | City transfers, sightseeing drives, mountain roads, desert sections and border approaches | Real timing can change because of road conditions, weather and border procedures |
Day 1 — Arrival in Almaty, Kazakhstan
This is a soft arrival day. The goal is simple: meet the local team, reach the hotel comfortably and recover from the international flight before the faster cross-country part of the route starts.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport arrival | depends on your international flight | flight | Arrival at Almaty International Airport and passport / baggage formalities. |
| Airport -> hotel | approx. 20-30 km / 30-60 min | private transfer | Meet the local driver and transfer to the hotel. Check-in follows hotel rules and room availability. |
| Light orientation | local movement only | walking / short drive | Depending on arrival time, the first evening may include a short orientation walk in central Almaty, such as Panfilov Park or Arbat Street. |
What this day feels like: easy and restorative; designed to help you settle into the trip rather than use up the first day.
Day 2 — Almaty city tour and Medeu / Shymbulak mountain area
Today combines city sightseeing with high-altitude scenery above Almaty. It is one of the most comfortable days of the whole program and gives the route an early landscape dimension before the first country change.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almaty city landmarks | approx. 20-30 km local city driving | private vehicle + walking | The city program typically covers Panfilov Park, Ascension Cathedral, Green Bazaar and Republic Square. |
| Almaty -> Medeu / Shymbulak | approx. 20-25 km one way / 40-60 min | private vehicle | Drive into the mountain zone above Almaty for the Medeu / Shymbulak area and wide alpine views. |
| Medeu / Shymbulak -> Almaty | approx. 20-25 km / 40-60 min | private vehicle | Return to the city for the evening. |
What this day feels like: comfortable sightseeing with a scenic mountain component rather than a hard travel day.
Day 3 — Almaty -> Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The tour changes country for the first time today. Travel is straightforward because the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan transition is handled by flight, not an overland border.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel -> Almaty Airport | approx. 20-30 km / 30-60 min | private transfer | Transfer to the airport for the regional flight to Bishkek. |
| Almaty -> Bishkek | approx. 220-250 km by air | regional flight | Short flight from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. |
| Bishkek Airport -> city | approx. 30-40 km / 40-60 min | private transfer | Meet the Kyrgyzstan team on arrival and transfer to Bishkek. |
| Bishkek city tour | approx. 15-30 km local movement | vehicle + walking | According to timing, the city program can include Ala-Too Square, Manas Statue, Oak Park and other central landmarks. |
What this day feels like: a clean, efficient country change followed by easy urban sightseeing.
Day 4 — Bishkek -> Burana Tower / Don-Aryk cultural program -> Bishkek Airport -> Tashkent
This is the Kyrgyz culture day of the itinerary. It combines heritage, a rural stop and an evening flight into Uzbekistan, making it one of the fullest days in the early part of the route.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishkek -> Burana Tower | approx. 80-90 km one way / 1.5-2 h | private vehicle | Drive to the Burana Tower area, one of the key historical sites near Bishkek. |
| Don-Aryk / rural experience | local movement | vehicle + walking | The current program presents this day as a Kyrgyz rural-culture block with Don-Aryk village, family lunch and, when available, an Ulak-Tartysh horse game and yurt-building demonstration. |
| Burana / Don-Aryk -> Bishkek Airport | approx. 80-100 km / 1.5-2.5 h | private transfer | Transfer to the airport for the evening flight to Tashkent. |
| Bishkek -> Tashkent | approx. 470-520 km by air | regional flight | Arrival in Uzbekistan and transfer to the hotel in Tashkent. |
What this day feels like: packed but rewarding. The cultural demonstration part is distinctive, but exact performance timing depends on local schedule and weather.
Day 5 — Tashkent city tour and train to Samarkand
Uzbekistan starts with its capital and then moves quickly into the Silk Road core. This is one of the easiest long-distance days because the Samarkand transfer is by Uzbek high-speed train.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent city tour | approx. 40-70 km local movement / 5-6 h | vehicle + walking | The program usually covers Khast-Imam, Chorsu Bazaar, Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and the Museum of Applied Arts. |
| City -> railway station | approx. 5-15 km / 20-40 min | private transfer | Transfer to the railway station for the Afrosiyob train. |
| Tashkent -> Samarkand | approx. 300 km by rail / usually about 2-3 h | train | High-speed rail journey to Samarkand and hotel transfer after arrival. |
What this day feels like: efficient and comfortable; it combines capital-city sightseeing with a modern rail transfer instead of a long road journey.
Day 6 — Samarkand -> Jartepa / Sarazm border -> Seven Lakes / Fann Mountains
This is the first true logistics day of the trip. You leave Uzbekistan, cross into Tajikistan on foot, head into the mountains and sleep outside the city-hotel pattern of the earlier days.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samarkand -> Jartepa checkpoint | approx. 42-60 km / about 1-1.5 h | private Uzbek vehicle | Drive from Samarkand to the Uzbek side of the border. |
| Jartepa / Sarazm neutral zone | approx. 350 m on foot | walking | You cross the neutral zone yourself and carry your own luggage independently between the Uzbek and Tajik checkpoints. |
| Sarazm side -> Penjikent / Seven Lakes road | approx. 80-110 km combined / 2.5-4.5 h depending on road | local Tajik vehicle | Meet the Tajikistan team after formalities and continue toward the Seven Lakes / Fann Mountains area. |
| Seven Lakes excursion | local mountain route | vehicle + short walks | Depending on road, daylight and weather, sightseeing can move progressively through the chain from the lower lakes toward higher lakes such as Nofin, Marguzor and Hazarchashma. |
| Guesthouse dinner / overnight | evening in the village | — | The current program includes a traditional Tajik guesthouse dinner, with local dishes such as qurutob, followed by overnight in the Padrud area. |
What this day feels like: scenic and very rewarding, but clearly more active than earlier city days because of the border walk, mountain roads and guesthouse stay.
Day 7 — Seven Lakes / Padrud area -> Penjikent -> Sarazm / Jartepa border -> Samarkand
Tajikistan ends with Penjikent, one of the oldest trading centers in the region, before the route re-enters Uzbekistan and returns to a city-hotel rhythm.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Lakes area -> Penjikent | approx. 60-80 km / 2-4 h | mountain-road vehicle | Return from the mountain area toward Penjikent. |
| Penjikent visits | local city movement | vehicle + walking | The program presents Penjikent as a historical stop with the museum, ruins of ancient Panjakent and the bazaar. |
| Penjikent -> Sarazm checkpoint | approx. 20-30 km / 30-60 min | local Tajik vehicle | Transfer to the Tajik side of the border for exit procedures. |
| Sarazm / Jartepa neutral zone | approx. 350 m on foot | walking | You again cross the neutral zone yourself with your luggage. |
| Jartepa side -> Samarkand | approx. 42-60 km / about 1-1.5 h after border | local Uzbek vehicle | After entry formalities, the Uzbek driver meets you and transfers you back to Samarkand. |
What this day feels like: still active, but easier than Day 6 because you return from the remote mountain section to a major city with a regular hotel night.
Day 8 — Samarkand city tour and train to Bukhara
This is the classic blue-domes day of the tour. Samarkand is one of the strongest visual highlights of the whole route and one of the easiest cities to read as a Silk Road destination.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samarkand sightseeing | approx. 30-50 km local movement / 5-6 h | vehicle + walking | The program normally includes Registan Square, Gur-Emir, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shahi-Zinda and Ulugbek Observatory. |
| Samarkand -> Bukhara | approx. 270 km by rail / usually about 1.5-3 h depending on train | train | Afrosiyob train to Bukhara and hotel transfer after arrival. |
What this day feels like: strong sightseeing value with relatively low physical stress compared with the border and desert days.
Day 9 — Bukhara city tour
Bukhara is the most atmospheric old-town day of the route. Much of the experience is about moving through the old city fabric, courtyards, mosques, trading domes and tea-house areas.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Bukhara walking section | mostly walking / short transfers | walking + vehicle | The walking core usually includes Poi-Kalyan, Lyabi-Hauz, the trading domes, Kukeldash Madrasah, Khanaka and, time permitting, Chor-Minor. |
| Historic monuments around the old city | approx. 20-40 km local movement | private vehicle | The route usually covers Ark Fortress, Bolo-Hauz Mosque, Chashma-Ayub and the Samanid Mausoleum; some departures also include Zindan Prison in the city program. |
| Evening in Bukhara | free time | walking | Free evening to enjoy Bukhara's tea houses, courtyards and lit monuments. |
What this day feels like: immersive rather than rushed; much of the day is spent on foot inside one of the strongest preserved historic cities in Central Asia.
Day 10 — Bukhara -> Alat / Farap border -> Merv -> Mary -> Ashgabat
This is one of the most demanding days of the entire tour. It combines an international land border, a long overland transfer, a major archaeological site and a domestic flight inside Turkmenistan.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bukhara -> Alat checkpoint | approx. 97-120 km / about 1 h 40 min to 2 h plus border time | private Uzbek vehicle | Drive to the Uzbek side of the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border. |
| Alat / Farap neutral-zone transfer | approx. 2.5 km between checkpoints | shuttle / border-controlled local transport | The crossing uses a multi-stage transfer system between checkpoints. Travelers stay with their own luggage throughout customs, passport control and transfer stages. |
| Farap side -> Merv / Mary area | approx. 250-300 km / 4-6 h | local Turkmenistan vehicle | After entry formalities, meet the Turkmenistan team and continue toward ancient Merv. |
| Merv visit | large archaeological area / local driving | vehicle + walking | The program highlights Old Merv with major stops such as Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Erk Kala, Gaur Kala, Kyz Kala, a Buddhist stupa area and other surviving monuments depending on access and timing. |
| Mary -> Ashgabat | approx. 300-330 km by air | domestic flight | Transfer to Mary Airport for the evening flight to Ashgabat and hotel check-in on arrival. |
What this day feels like: long and operationally complex. It is one of the days that proves this is a genuine five-country circuit, not a soft city-break itinerary.
Day 11 — Ashgabat city tour and Darvaza Gas Crater
Turkmenistan changes character completely today: the morning is urban and monumental, while the afternoon and evening move into the open desert and the famous Darvaza crater.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat city tour | approx. 40-70 km local movement | private vehicle + walking | The program presents this as an Ashgabat highlights tour, commonly including the Independence Monument, the National Museum and other city landmarks depending on access. |
| Ashgabat -> Darvaza | approx. 260-290 km / 4-5.5 h | desert-road vehicle | Drive into the Karakum Desert toward Darvaza. |
| Darvaza evening visit | local camp area | vehicle + walking | View the crater after dark. The program also presents a traditional barbecue dinner near the crater, followed by overnight in desert or yurt-camp style accommodation. |
What this day feels like: memorable and unusual. Comfort drops compared with the city-hotel nights, but that is exactly what gives Darvaza its value in the route.
Day 12 — Darvaza -> Kunya-Urgench -> Dashoguz / Shavat border -> Khiva
This is another long logistics day, but it is loaded with major Khorezmian heritage. Kunya-Urgench adds another UNESCO-level historical layer before the route crosses back into Uzbekistan.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darvaza -> Kunya-Urgench | approx. 270-320 km / 4-6 h | private Turkmen vehicle | Long desert and steppe road toward the historical complex of Kunya-Urgench. |
| Kunya-Urgench visit | local movement | vehicle + walking | The program highlights monuments such as Ak-Kala Fortress, Mamun Minaret, Il-Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Kutlug-Timur Minaret, Seyit Ahmet Mausoleum and Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum according to time and access. |
| Kunya-Urgench -> Dashoguz checkpoint | approx. 90-120 km / 1.5-2.5 h | private Turkmen vehicle | Transfer to the Turkmen side of the border. |
| Dashoguz / Shavat neutral zone | approx. 500 m between border buildings | shuttle bus | Shuttle transfer between the two border buildings while staying with your luggage. |
| Shavat side -> Khiva | approx. 60-70 km / about 1 h-1 h 10 min | local Uzbek vehicle | After Uzbek entry formalities, the Uzbek driver meets you for the transfer to Khiva. Many departures use hotels inside or near Ichan-Kala, but the exact hotel is confirmed in writing. |
What this day feels like: long, dusty and logistics-heavy, but very rich historically. Khiva at the end of the day feels like a reward after the desert and border section.
Day 13 — Khiva walking tour, farewell food experience and flight to Tashkent
The final sightseeing day is concentrated inside Khiva's walled old city. It is compact, architectural and very different in mood from Samarkand and Bukhara.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khiva / Ichan-Kala walking tour | mostly walking / 4-6 h sightseeing | walking | The city program usually covers Ichan-Kala, Kunya-Ark, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque and Tash-Khovli Palace. |
| Farewell meal / cooking activity | midday or afternoon | walking / local transfer | The program presents a Khiva farewell meal and a Tukhumbarak cooking master class. Exact kitchen timing and setup are confirmed for the selected departure. |
| Khiva -> Urgench Airport | approx. 35-45 km / 40-60 min | private transfer | Transfer to Urgench Airport for the flight to Tashkent. |
| Urgench -> Tashkent | approx. 720-750 km by air | flight | Arrival in Tashkent and transfer to the hotel for the last night of the route. |
What this day feels like: culturally rich but less rugged than the desert block. It is a strong closing day because it combines architecture, food culture and a fast return to Tashkent.
Day 14 — Departure from Tashkent
Today is purely operational and depends on your international departure time.
| Segment | Distance / time | Transport | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel -> airport | approx. 10-20 km / 20-45 min | private transfer | Transfer to Tashkent International Airport according to your international departure time. |
| End of tour | — | international flight not included | End of the Five Stans Tour. |
What this day feels like: simple and administrative; the sightseeing part of the program is already complete.
Borders, visas and crossing rules on the Five Stans Tour
This Five Stans route includes three main overland border systems: Jartepa / Sarazm between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Alat / Farap between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and Dashoguz / Shavat between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These crossings are part of the tour structure, not optional extras. On each of them, travelers complete passport control and customs formalities personally, stay with their own luggage, and meet the next local team after the checkpoint.
Important rule: guides and drivers from one country normally cannot continue working inside the next country without local authorization.
In practice, your first team brings you to the checkpoint, you pass the border and any neutral-zone transfer yourself, and the next local team meets you after the crossing.
Official hours note: CAJ.UZ's border guide currently lists Dzhartepa / Sarazm and Alat / Farap as 24-hour crossings, and Shavat / Dashoguz as 08:00-20:00 crossings.
Operational note: official hours, officer instructions, queues and shuttle rhythm can change. CAJ.UZ reconfirms the practical crossing plan before the selected departure.
Main border crossings in this itinerary
| Day | Border crossing | Countries | Neutral zone / luggage | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 6 | Jartepa / Sarazm | Uzbekistan -> Tajikistan | About 350 m on foot. Travelers carry their own luggage. | The Uzbekistan team brings you to Jartepa. You cross the short neutral zone yourself with your bags, complete Tajik formalities at Sarazm and meet the Tajik team after the checkpoint. |
| Day 7 | Sarazm / Jartepa | Tajikistan -> Uzbekistan | About 350 m on foot. Travelers carry their own luggage. | The Tajik team brings you to Sarazm. After the same short walk and Uzbekistan entry formalities at Jartepa, the Uzbekistan driver meets you for the transfer to Samarkand. |
| Day 10 | Alat / Farap | Uzbekistan -> Turkmenistan | About 2.5 km through shuttle and border-transport stages. Travelers stay with their own luggage the whole time. | The route uses a multi-stage transfer system between the Uzbek and Turkmen checkpoints. After Turkmen entry formalities, the Turkmen team meets you and the route continues toward Merv and Mary. |
| Day 12 | Dashoguz / Shavat | Turkmenistan -> Uzbekistan | About 500 m with shuttle transfer between border buildings. Travelers stay with their own luggage. | The Turkmen team brings you to Dashoguz. After the shuttle transfer and Uzbekistan entry formalities at Shavat, the Uzbekistan driver meets you for the transfer to Khiva. |
Border crossing details
Jartepa / Sarazm border — Uzbekistan ↔ Tajikistan
| Point | Practical information |
|---|---|
| Also shown as | You may also see this crossing written as Dzhartepa, Jartepa-Penjikent or Sarazm / Jartepa. |
| Opening hours shown by CAJ.UZ | Jartepa on the Uzbek side and Sarazm on the Tajik side are currently listed as 24-hour checkpoints. Practical crossing time is still planned and reconfirmed for the selected departure. |
| Approx. distances | Samarkand to Jartepa is about 42-60 km. Border to Penjikent is about 20 km. Penjikent to the Seven Lakes road section is roughly 60-80 km one way depending on the lake reached and road conditions. |
| Neutral zone | About 350 m on foot. Travelers carry their own luggage independently between the checkpoints. |
| What the client should expect | This is the shortest border transfer on the tour, but it is still a real luggage carry. It is manageable for most travelers, yet it feels harder with heavy suitcases or multiple loose bags. |
| Documents | Valid passport and Tajikistan entry permission if required for your nationality. |
| After the crossing | After Tajik entry formalities, the Tajik driver or guide meets you outside the checkpoint and continues the program to Penjikent or the Seven Lakes. In the reverse direction, the Uzbekistan driver meets you after Uzbekistan entry for the transfer back to Samarkand. |
| Timing | Total border time depends on queues and officer procedures. It is usually simpler than the Turkmenistan borders, but it should not be treated as a ten-minute stop. |
Alat / Farap border — Uzbekistan -> Turkmenistan
| Point | Practical information |
|---|---|
| Also shown as | You may also see this crossing written as Alat-Farab. The Turkmen side is also commonly written as Farab. |
| Opening hours shown by CAJ.UZ | Alat on the Uzbek side and Farap on the Turkmen side are currently listed as 24-hour checkpoints. Exact tour crossing time is reconfirmed before departure. |
| Uzbek side | Alat checkpoint. It is about 97-120 km from Bukhara, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours by road under normal conditions. |
| Turkmen side | Farap / Farab checkpoint. After entry formalities, the route continues by road toward Merv and Mary. |
| Neutral zone | About 2.5 km long. This is the most operationally complex border on the route and it uses a multi-stage shuttle and border-transport system. |
| Transfer system | In practice, travelers usually leave the Uzbek customs building, board Uzbek border transport to the bridge area, transfer to Turkmen transport, complete Turkmen formalities, and then board local transport again to reach the exit of the customs zone. |
| Luggage rule | Travelers stay with their own luggage through customs, passport control and the transfer stages. There is no porter-style handling included. |
| Documents | Valid passport plus Turkmenistan visa or visa-support documents, depending on your nationality and the entry procedure confirmed for your departure. |
| Official charges | Border-side visa, migration, health and transfer-related charges may be requested by the authorities. These are not included unless your written confirmation explicitly says so, and official amounts can change. |
| Timing | This crossing usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, but queues and officer procedures can make it longer. |
| After the crossing | After Turkmen formalities, the Turkmen driver or guide meets you with a name sign and the program continues to Merv, then Mary and the flight to Ashgabat. |
Dashoguz / Shavat border — Turkmenistan -> Uzbekistan
| Point | Practical information |
|---|---|
| Also shown as | You may also see this crossing written as Dashoguz-Shavat or Shavat / Dashoguz. |
| Opening hours shown by CAJ.UZ | Shavat on the Uzbek side and Dashoguz on the Turkmen side are currently listed as 08:00-20:00 checkpoints. Tour timing is planned around this daylight operating window and reconfirmed before departure. |
| Turkmen side | Dashoguz side. Dashoguz city is about 12-13 km from the border and the road section from Kunya-Urgench to the border is part of the Day 12 transfer. |
| Uzbek side | Shavat side. From here, Khiva is about 60-74 km away and usually takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes by road after the border. |
| Neutral zone | About 500 m. The transfer between the buildings is normally handled by shuttle bus. |
| Luggage rule | As on the other borders, travelers stay with their own luggage throughout the crossing. Customs inspection, passport control and the shuttle transfer are all done with your bags. |
| Documents | Valid passport and Uzbekistan entry permission if required for your nationality. |
| Official charges | Border or shuttle-related charges can be collected by the authorities. They are not included unless your written confirmation explicitly says so, and exact amounts can change. |
| Timing | This crossing often takes around 2 hours, but the real time can vary depending on congestion and the time of day. |
| After the crossing | After Uzbekistan entry formalities at Shavat, the Uzbekistan driver meets you outside the checkpoint for the transfer to Khiva. |
What travelers must know before border days
- Keep your passport and border papers ready: do not bury them inside your main suitcase.
- Stay with your luggage: on this route, travelers handle their own bags during border procedures and transfer stages.
- Jartepa / Sarazm: be ready to walk about 350 meters with your luggage.
- Alat / Farap: be ready for the longest transfer system on the route, with shuttle and border-transport stages covering about 2.5 km in total.
- Dashoguz / Shavat: expect a shorter shuttle transfer of about 500 meters between border buildings.
- Pack lightly on border days: large suitcases and extra loose bags make the crossing harder.
- Do not photograph border areas: photography is often restricted or prohibited around checkpoints.
- Build in patience: border time is controlled by officers and queues, not by the tour operator.
- Official fees can change: visa, migration, health, shuttle or other border-related charges are not included unless your written confirmation explicitly says otherwise.
- Ask in advance if mobility is a concern: this route is not designed as a low-movement or assisted-crossing product.
Best time for the Five Stans Tour
Spring and autumn are usually the strongest seasons for a fast multi-country Central Asia trip. The booking page currently shows departures from 19 May 2026 through 16 November 2026, plus early-spring 2027 departures ending on 12 April 2027.
- Spring: excellent for mixed-country travel, mountain scenery and classic Silk Road cities.
- Summer: still workable, but Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan can be very hot, especially on the desert and lowland sections.
- Autumn: often one of the best windows for this route, and the schedule currently includes autumn 2026 departures.
- Winter: possible only as a specially adjusted private route with different expectations and weather conditions.
What travelers say about CAJ.UZ
Peter Grip · Sweden
He wrote that his two travelers were very happy with their tour and thanked CAJ.UZ for a job well done.Donatella Morozzi · Italy
She wrote that everything was great and that the driver and guides were super.MyAnh, Visit Asia · UK
She described CAJ.UZ as a reliable partner after her travelers returned very happy.These are operator-level reviews about CAJ.UZ, not review markup for this exact departure. More feedback: traveler reviews.
FAQ
How many countries are included in this tour?
Five countries are included: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
How long is the tour?
The route is 14 days and 13 nights, starting in Almaty and finishing in Tashkent.
What departure dates are currently shown?
The booking page currently shows departures from 19 May 2026 to 12 April 2027, including summer and autumn 2026 dates plus early-spring 2027 departures.
What is the starting price?
The starting rate is $3,200 per person in a 3-star double or twin room, based on 2 travelers sharing.
Is the single-room rate the same as a solo-traveler price?
No. The single-room rate is for a private room within a booking based on at least 2 travelers. A true solo-traveler quote is calculated separately.
Is a scheduled departure automatically guaranteed?
No. A scheduled date means the departure is listed for booking. The booking becomes confirmed only after CAJ.UZ checks traveler details, service availability and sends written confirmation.
Is this the same as the 23-day Central Asia Tour?
No. This page is for the compact 14-day Five Stans Tour from Almaty to Tashkent. The 23-day Central Asia Tour is a longer regional alternative with more time and a broader pace; it is linked in the comparison section.
What kind of pace should I expect?
Expect a fast-moving cultural circuit, not a slow hotel holiday. Most nights are city hotels, but the route also includes one Tajik guesthouse section, one desert or yurt-camp night, several long drives and self-handled border procedures.
Which days are usually the hardest?
Usually Days 6-7 and 10-12. Those are the mountain, border and desert-heavy days with the longest logistics and the most luggage handling.
Are flights and trains included?
Yes. The tour includes the regional flight segments Almaty-Bishkek, Bishkek-Tashkent, Mary-Ashgabat and Urgench-Tashkent, plus the train segments Tashkent-Samarkand and Samarkand-Bukhara.
What hotel standard should I expect?
Most nights are in 3-star or 4-star city hotels, depending on your booked category. The route also includes one guesthouse night in the Seven Lakes area and one Darvaza desert or yurt-camp night, which do not follow city-hotel standards.
Which overland borders are crossed on this tour?
The main overland crossings are Jartepa / Sarazm between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Alat / Farap between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and Dashoguz / Shavat between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
What are the official checkpoint hours shown by CAJ.UZ?
CAJ.UZ's border guide currently lists Jartepa / Sarazm as 24 hours, Alat / Farap as 24 hours, and Shavat / Dashoguz as 08:00 to 20:00. Tour operation timing is still reconfirmed before departure.
How much walking or shuttle transfer is required at the borders?
At Jartepa / Sarazm, the neutral zone is about 350 meters on foot. At Alat / Farap, the transfer system covers about 2.5 km and includes shuttle or border-transport stages. At Dashoguz / Shavat, the transfer between buildings is about 500 meters and is usually handled by shuttle bus.
Do travelers carry their own luggage at the borders?
Yes. Travelers complete border formalities themselves and stay with their own luggage during neutral-zone walks or shuttle transfers.
Will the same guide or driver escort me across every border?
Not usually. Guides and drivers from one country normally do not continue working inside the next country without local authorization. One team brings you to the checkpoint, and the next local team meets you after the crossing.
What should I keep ready on border days?
Keep your passport, visa documents and any migration papers easy to reach. Border days are easier if you pack lightly and avoid extra loose bags, because you stay with your own luggage throughout the crossing.
How is the booking confirmed?
After payment or request submission, the order can be created immediately. The booking becomes confirmed only when CAJ.UZ sends written confirmation after checking traveler details and securing the required services.
Are visa costs and border fees included?
Visa support is included if required, but visa costs and official border-related charges are not included unless your written confirmation explicitly says otherwise. Border authorities can change state fees without notice.
Are the horse-game, guesthouse dinner, desert dinner and Khiva cooking activity always guaranteed?
These items are part of the current program presentation, but exact operational timing still depends on local schedule, weather, camp setup and final confirmation for the selected departure.
Can I cancel or change the date?
If you cancel 24 hours or more before the start time, CAJ.UZ does not charge its own cancellation fee. Ticketed services and supplier rules can still affect the refundable amount, and any date change depends on availability and supplier conditions.
Which guide languages are available?
English is the standard included language. Russian, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Turkish can be requested and must be confirmed in writing.
How to book the Five Stans Tour
- Choose the departure date you want.
- Select the hotel category and room type.
- Enter traveler details and upload passport copies if the booking flow asks for them.
- Complete payment or send the request, depending on the booking mode for the selected departure.
- Look for written confirmation from CAJ.UZ after traveler details are checked and the required services are secured.
Booking confirmation rule: submitting a request or completing payment can create the order first.
The booking itself is confirmed only after CAJ.UZ checks traveler details, confirms required services and sends written confirmation.
Cancellation and refunds
- Cancel 24+ hours before the start time and CAJ.UZ does not charge its own cancellation fee.
- Tickets, special fares and supplier services can still be partly or fully non-refundable.
- The final refundable amount depends on cancellation time, supplier rules and costs already committed for your booking.
- Approved refunds are processed within 5 business days and go back only to the original payer and original payment method.
- Details: refund policy.
Phone / WhatsApp: +998 90 922 30 73
Email: cajourneys@gmail.com
Useful planning links
If you are comparing routes before booking, these related tours help you choose between a full five-country circuit, a lighter two-country combination, a Pamir-focused overland adventure or a longer regional journey.
Related tours to compare
- Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan Tour Package for Explorers — a 15-day alternative for travelers who want Silk Road cities plus Kyrgyzstan landscapes, Issyk-Kul, Karakol and a yurt-style experience without adding Turkmenistan.
- Pamir Highway Tour: 14-Day Adventure Through the Wakhan Valley & Silk Road — the stronger choice if your priority is Tajikistan, the Wakhan Valley, the Pamir road and a more rugged high-altitude route.
- Central Asia Tour: 23-Day Epic Cultural & Heritage Trip — the longer regional option for travelers who want more time across Central Asia and a broader five-country pace.
Planning resources
| Tour code | Price and date | Reserved | |
| CA1905 |
$3200
19.05.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA0206 |
$3200
02.06.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA1606 |
$3200
16.06.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA3006 |
$3200
30.06.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA1407 |
$3200
14.07.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA2807 |
$3200
28.07.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA1108 |
$3200
11.08.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA2508 |
$3200
25.08.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA0809 |
$3200
08.09.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA2209 |
$3200
22.09.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA0610 |
$3200
06.10.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA2010 |
$3200
20.10.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA0311 |
$3200
03.11.2026
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA1627 |
$3200
16.03.2027
|
0 pax | Buy |
| CA3027 |
$3200
30.03.2027
|
0 pax | Buy |
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